President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the selection of a special prosecutor to address the ongoing investigation into the Watergate scandal. The two evaluated the potential appointment of former California Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, weighing his Democratic background, name recognition, and experience as a district attorney. Nixon aimed to ensure the investigation would be conducted fairly without unduly harming individuals involved, ultimately looking to influence Elliot Richardson's final selection.
On May 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:03 pm and 12:31 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 432-030 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 432-30
Date: May 9, 1973
Time: Unknown between 12:03 pm and 12:31 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
White House special prosecutor
-Appointment
-Edmund G. (“Pat”) Brown
-Background
-Governor, Attorney-General
-California
-Democrat
-Regard for Presidency [?]
-Advantages
-Name recognition
-Former district attorney
-Effect on committee
-Sensitivity to national interests
-Background
-Attorney general
-Governor
-President’s Democratic opponent, 1962
-Elliot L. Richardson’s choice
-Harvard University
-Effect on John N. Mitchell
-Brown
-President’s recommendation
-Richardson
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. September-2011)This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.